5 steps to writing well
- Planning (deciding what and how to write)
- Drafting (getting it on paper once)
- Revising (getting it on paper better)
- Editing (fixing spelling, grammar, typing)
- Formatting (choosing typefaces, layout, etc.)
Planning
Section titled “Planning”Why am I writing this, who is the audience, what does the reader know/expect/want, how can I organize it, what are the format and style requirements?
Each section has a purpose, and is broken into smaller sections each of which has its own purpose.
If in doubt, write it all down in a random order
Drafting
Section titled “Drafting”Don’t worry about grammar, spelling or formatting.
Concentrate on what you want to say, and how you’re going to organize it.
Get to the point. Get to the point. Get to the point
State the main point before you give the reasoning that leads to it.
Put the main point of each paragraph in its first sentence.
Revising
Section titled “Revising”The goal of the revising step is to make your writing clearer and easier to read.
Is there anything that can be misunderstood? If so, change it so that it can’t!
Where possible, shorten your sentences.
Editing
Section titled “Editing”Grammar, spelling, and punctuation help express meaning.
Formatting
Section titled “Formatting”Keep it simple. Keep it standard. Avoid meaningless variation.
Familiar typefaces, no more than 2 or 3 in a document.